On “Fruit of Bantu,” Belgium rappers Coely and Shaka Shams speak on what it means to be Black. The song discusses the positive and celebrates our uniqueness. It also speaks on some of the things we bear on our shoulders, like generational traumas, feeling the everlasting effects of slavery on a physical and so on. However, “Bantu” isn’t devoted to the negatives. After all, Coely herself said that she “did not want the pain to take over in this song.”

I originally passed on this song as a review article because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the production at first glance. However, after a few relistens (and that unscheduled sabbatical I’ve mention over the last week or so), I realized that the beat was solid. The lyrics, though, are the strong suit. They don’t devolve into “I’m Black Y’all” navel-gazing. Instead, the celebration of Blackness is an honest one, a true to life one and a celebration that I personally needed today. Between this, various other pro-Black thoughts and even the Chair Wars, I’m proud of who I am. And I’m proud of you all too (especially my Black folks). This sort of anthem will stay with you, even when times get hard. However, unlike that SOTB song, “Fruit of Bantu” also has a poignant video. Check it all out below and support dope music in all its forms.